FocusConflict, endurance, and resurrection
Connection to the wholeThe final vision extends the conflict and hope, closing with instructions about the words and Daniel's own appointed end.
interpretation Daniel 12:6
KJVAnd one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
Read it in context
The End Times
Start reading at Daniel 12:1 (Daniel 12:1 to Daniel 12:13).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The final vision extends the conflict and hope, closing with instructions about the words and Daniel's own appointed end.
- 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
- 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
- 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
- 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
- 12:5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
- 12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
- 12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
- 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
- 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
- 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
- 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
- 12:12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
- 12:13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Daniel is the traditional author and the named recorder of the later visions. Jesus refers to Daniel the prophet; the date and compilation of the book are debated in historical scholarship. Biblical references: Daniel 7:1; Daniel 8:1; Daniel 12:4; Matthew 24:15. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Daniel 10:1–12:13): Daniel receives the heavenly message concerning his people and coming conflicts; those described in the prophecy are distinguished from Daniel as the immediate recipient. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? God's people living under foreign empires and later faithful readers seeking understanding. Within the stories, messages are also delivered to particular Babylonian and Persian rulers. Biblical references: Daniel 1:6; Daniel 4:1; Daniel 12:4. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The End Times. Read Daniel 12:1 through Daniel 12:13 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The final vision extends the conflict and hope, closing with instructions about the words and Daniel's own appointed end. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The narratives and visions name rulers of Babylon and succeeding powers. Dates of visions and periods represented by symbols are different kinds of information. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narratives are set in exile under foreign rulers, while visions portray additional realms and future conflicts. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The End Times (Daniel 12:1 to Daniel 12:13). Start reading at Daniel 12:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus uses the title Son of man and refers to Daniel. The New Testament supplies connections to Daniel's visions; precise modern identifications and timetables still require careful argument. See Daniel 7:13, Matthew 24:15, Matthew 26:64. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Remain faithful under pressure and reject confidence rooted in human power. Distinguish the book's supplied interpretations from later attempts to identify every symbol. interpretation
Cited: Daniel 12:1, Daniel 12:13, Daniel 7:13, Matthew 24:15, Matthew 26:64
Who wrote it, and how we know
Daniel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysLarge sections are written in the first person by Daniel, and Jesus refers to Daniel the prophet.
Daniel 7:2Daniel 8:1Matthew 24:15
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Daniel in the sixth century B.C.
What is debatedMany critical scholars date the book to the second century B.C. because of its detailed prophecy of that period. Jesus naming Daniel as a prophet is a significant argument for the traditional view.
Related passages
- one said Dan 8:16 Zech 1:12-13 Eph 3:10 1 Pet 1:12
- man Dan 10:5-6 Ezek 9:2 Rev 15:6 Rev 19:14
- upon Rev 10:2-5
- How long Dan 8:13 Ps 74:9 Rev 6:10
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Daniel 12
Daniel places its narratives and visions in the setting of foreign empires and exile. The book itself supplies some interpretations of symbols; further timetables and modern identifications require separate argument and should be labeled accordingly. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Daniel 1:1 Daniel 2:37 Daniel 7:17
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Daniel
Daniel places its narratives and visions in the setting of foreign empires and exile. The book itself supplies some interpretations of symbols; further timetables and modern identifications require separate argument and should be labeled accordingly.
Daniel 1:1 Daniel 2:37 Daniel 7:17
The Judean youths in Babylon
Daniel 1:1–21FocusFaithfulness in exile
Connection to the wholeThe opening establishes the youths' displacement, training, and resolve before the court narratives and visions develop.
interpretation Kings, kingdoms, and faithful witnesses
Daniel 2:1–6:28FocusGod's rule over earthly power
Connection to the wholeDreams, deliverances, and judgments confront royal pride and show faithful witnesses living under successive rulers.
interpretation Visions of kingdoms
Daniel 7:1–8:27FocusConflict and divine judgment
Connection to the wholeThe visions present kingdoms and conflict with explanations supplied within the text, preparing the later revelations.
interpretation Confession and the answer concerning the people
Daniel 9:1–27FocusPrayer and announced purposes
Connection to the wholeDaniel's attention to Jeremiah leads to confession and an answer concerning his people and the holy city.
interpretation FocusConflict, endurance, and resurrection
Connection to the wholeThe final vision extends the conflict and hope, closing with instructions about the words and Daniel's own appointed end.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.